Leonard goes to Raptors for DeRozan
San Antonio shipped Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green to the Toronto Raptors for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a protected 2019 first-round pick on Wednesday, ending a standoff of nearly seven months of off-court drama for the Spurs.
Leonard requested a trade after a meeting with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. His absence from the team became a point of consternation for Popovich and the Spurs, who didn’t have the All-Star forward on the floor for the final five months of last season because of a quadriceps injury.
The Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers and others checked on Leonard’s availability before Wednesday’s trade, in which the Spurs were able to acquire another All-Star in DeRozan.
If Leonard were to become a free agent after finishing the season in Toronto, the Raptors could offer up to five years and $190 million; everyone else would top out at four years and $141 million.
ESPN and The Sporting News reported Wednesday that Leonard has “no desire” to play in Toronto and could sit out, hoping to force another trade. DeRozan wrote on his Instagram page Wednesday morning, “Be told one thing & the outcome another. Can’t trust em. Ain’t no loyalty in this game. Sell you out quick for a little bit of nothing... Soon you’ll understand... Don’t disturb...”